ADU Design
California ADU law changed what property owners are allowed to build, and San Diego layers its own bonus program on top. Good ADU design squeezes real livability out of a small footprint while threading setback, height, and parking rules that shift almost every year.
Why clients choose us
Current on the code
State ADU law and San Diego’s bonus ADU program both move quickly. We design to what is allowed today, not what was allowed three years ago.
Small footprint, real home
Ceiling height, storage, natural light, and sound separation are what make an ADU rentable and livable rather than cramped.
Detached, attached, or JADU
Including garage conversions. We assess which type your lot supports before drawing anything.
What you get
- ✓ Lot feasibility & yield study
- ✓ ADU schematic design
- ✓ Construction documents
- ✓ Title 24 compliance
- ✓ Permit submittal
- ✓ Utility & meter planning
Answered honestly
If your question is not here, ask us directly. We would rather have the awkward conversation early than the expensive one later.
How many ADUs can I build on my lot? +
It depends on zoning, lot size, and whether your property qualifies for San Diego’s bonus ADU program — which can allow multiple units on a single-family lot. Our free feasibility check answers this specifically.
How long does ADU permitting take? +
San Diego ADU permits generally run 3–8 months from submittal depending on the jurisdiction, completeness of the set, and whether the project qualifies for streamlined review.
Do ADU plans need to match my main house? +
Not required by code in most cases, though some overlays and HOAs impose design standards. We check before designing.
Related services
Custom Home Design
Architecture for one-of-a-kind homes, drawn by the team that will build them.
Site Planning
Understanding what a parcel can hold before you commit to a design.
Permitting
We submit, correct, and resubmit — you do not sit in line at the counter.
Engineering Coordination
Structural, civil, MEP, and Title 24 — managed as one coordinated set.
Ready to talk ADU Design?
Tell us what you are considering. We will give you a straight assessment of scope, cost, and timeline — before anyone signs anything.